Spring is here! Enjoy the sunshine by getting out and supporting our schools' spring sports teams! Follow the link in the OMHS block to County Sports Zone to find schedules, scores, and statistics. Also, support the fine arts at OMHS by seeing OMHS's production of Mary Poppins (more info in the OMHS block). Read a message from Principal Nancy Thomas in the TSES block about what you can do to advocate for continued funding and planning for the TSES replacement school. And last, but not least, note that FREE LUNCHES will be offered to children 18 and under at locations around Howard County during spring break (info in the HCPSS block).  
 
If you have time tonight please attend the Oakland Mills Board of Directors Candidates' Forum and meet those who are running for a seat on the OM Board and CA Board from your cOMmunity (7 p.m. at the Other Barn). 

Have a great week!
Sandy Cederbaum, Village Manager 
Amy Carpenter, Administrative Assistant

Oakland Mills Logo  
Oakland Mills School Happenings

          April 2,  2019                         Issue: 59

Oakland Mills High School (OMHS)
Website  
 
Visit County Sports Zone for spring sports schedules, scores, and stats.

Mary Poppins: The Broadway Musical
April 4th through 6th, 7:00 p.m.
April 7th, 2:00 p.m.

Howard County Youth Police Academy 
July 7th through July 12th
Public Safety Training Center
Application Deadline: April 12th
For students ages 15-18 who are interested in a law enforcement career. For more information, contact your school resource officer or check out the Howard County Police Department website. 

OMHS AfterProm 2019
April 27-28th, 12:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m.
Main Event, Columbia Mall

OMHS Food Pantry
April 25th, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
***Donations still being taken at The Other Barn during regular business hours!

OMHS Booster Club Seeking Donations for Silent Auction
The OMHS Booster Club is hosting a Silent Auction during the Spring Fling on 5/3/19. The club is seeking donations of any monetary value. All businesses and all  those that personally donate will be highlighted on the club's website, social media and at the event.  Some ideas: gift cards, shopping credit for online sites (Posh, Thirty-One, Stella & Dot, Beachbody, etc), Orioles and/or Nationals Tickets, services, etc.  No amount or donation is too small. Contact the booster club if you'd like to donate or if you have questions.

OMHS Graduation Commencement Ceremony
Thursday, May 30th, 7:00 p.m.
Merriweather Post Pavilion

OMHS PTSA : Please click  here.  
 
OMHS Boosters : Please click  here .

Oakland Mills Middle School (OMMS)
Website

Check out OMMS principal Megan Chrobak's Guest Voices post on the HCPSS website!

Family Dinner & Restorative Justice Information Night
April 8th, 6:30 p.m.
Free! Dr. Gilbert of HCPSS, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, will be leading the presentation. All members of the Oakland Mills Community are welcome.

Once on this Island JR Spring Musical
April 10th through 12th, 6:30 p.m.
Tickets go on sale April 5th! More info.

OMMS PTSA: Please click  here.  
Stevens Forest Elementary School (SFES)
 
Pizza with the PTA
April 3rd, 6:00 p.m.
Free! Come meet the PTA and find out about the roles of the PTA Board. Regular PTA meeting will follow from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. 

SFES Science Fair
April 25th, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. 

For ongoing SFES fundraising opportunities, click here .
Please click HERE  for the SFES PTA website.
Talbott Springs Elementary School (TSES)
Website

TSES PTA Spring Dance
April 26th, 6:00 p.m.

Message from Principal Nancy Thompson on the TSES Replacement School:
As the Howard County Council and the Howard County Executive make decisions about the FY 20 Capital and Operating Budget for HCPSS, please continue to show your advocacy for the TSES Replacement School that is scheduled to open in September 2022. Planning for this building is underway (for the second time) and we are really looking forward to a continued commitment from the Howard County Council and Howard County Executive Ball for this completion of this project. The Capital and Operating Budget Public Hearing will be held on April 29, 2019 . When messaging our elected officials, please express your gratitude for the support that we have received so far and please ask for continued commitment for inclusion of this vital project in the Howard County Budget. Thank you so much for your assistance with ensuring that the TSES Replacement School is a high priority in the year ahead!

TSES PTA: C lick HERE  f or PTA information.

Thunder Hill Elementary School (THES)
Website

THES Family Fun Run/Walk
May 10th
More info to follow!

THES Talent Show
June 3rd and 5th, 7:00 p.m.

THES PTA:
Click HERE for more PTA information.

Howard County Public School System 
Website   

School Closings: 
*April 5th, all schools close 3 hours early
*April 15th through 22nd, schools closed for spring break
*Due to inclement weather makeup days, the last day of school will be June 21st with 3-hour early dismissals on June 19th, 20th, and 21st. The Board of Education will have discussions on how to account for the fifth inclement weather day used, and any necessary subsequent days, at a future public meeting. More info and updates HERE.

For information on emergency/weather school closings, click HERE.

County Executive Ball Announces Education Funding Priorities in Capital Budget
Priorities include replacement of Talbot Springs Elementary School. Read more HERE.

ANGST Film Screenings & Discussions
Parents and guardians are invited to a free documentary screening and panel discussion around anxiety in youth.Click HERE for more information.

Road to Kindergarten at TSES
April 10th, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
 At this workshop, parents of soon-to-be Kindergarten students can learn expectations for school readiness, the HCPSS Kindergarten program, the Kindergarten registration process and ways that families and children can be supported during the transition. Your children will visit Kindergarten classrooms so that they can begin to learn what being in 'Kindergarten' means. Stevens Forest and Talbott Springs Elementary School families welcome!

Free Spring Break Meals for Children 18 and Under
April 15th through 18th
11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Three locations: Bain 50+ Center, Howard County Library East Columbia Branch, & North Laurel Community Center

Home and Hospital Teachers Needed!
Critical needs in middle school and high school levels in all subjects. Position is part-time and non-contracted. More info HERE.

Board of Education Meetings 
  • Thursday, April 11th, 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. - Regular Meeting
  • Thursday, April 25th, 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. - Regular Meeting
All meetings are held in the  Boardroom of the Department of Education, 10910 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City.
RESTAURANT NIGHTS

TSES PTA Restaurant Night at Grotto Pizza
April 3rd, 4:00 to 9:00 p.m.
7075 Minstrel Way, Columbia

SFES Restaurant Night at Red Robin
April 8th, 4:00 to 9:00 p.m.
8640 Snowden River Pkwy, Columbia

OMHS Booster Club Night at BJ's Brewhouse
April 11th, 2:00 to 11:00 p.m.
6181 Columbia Crossing Rd., Columbia
To benefit OMHS baseball. Flier


Oakland Mills Education Committee
 
The Oakland Mills Community Association's Education Committee welcomes all interested individuals to join the conversation.  The committee supports and advocates for all Oakland Mills schools and county-wide on a variety of issues.   
 
This year the Oakland Mills Board has selected the members of the OM Education Committee as Volunteers of the Year.  In lieu of the committee's April meeting we will hold a reception in their honor on Tues. April 23 from 6 - 7 p.m. at the Other Barn.
All are invited!
 
For more information contact Oakland Mills Board of Directors Chair and Education Committee Chair, Jonathan Edelson at jledelson.omca@gmail.com
 
Dispose of your expired or unwanted prescription medications
at 
HC DrugFree's free permanent drop-off location at
Community Outreach, 10741 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia
 
Next Teen Advisory Meeting:
April 8th, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.
The Barn (5853 Robert Oliver Place)

Student Substance-Free Pledge  
Parents/guardians may access a printable Student Pledge created by Howard County teens. Good discussion tool for adults and students. Visit   http://www.hcdrugfree.org/for-parents-1/. If you have questions, email   Admin@hcdrugfree.org or call 443-325-0040.  

Volunteer Opportunities

Please be sure to check out the volunteer opportunities at each individual school.
 
HC DrugFree
HC Drug Free is looking for parent/adult volunteers. Please email   Admin@hcdrugfree.org to volunteer. Include your availability and specify whether you can type, are willing to drive to pharmacies or liquor stores, and/or have any special skills or interests. 

Blessings in a Backpack 
Please support Talbott Springs in this Community Outreach program. One hundred percent of the money raised goes to purchase food. To support Blessings in a Backpack, visit  blessingsinabackpack.org and select Talbott Springs. All donations are tax deductible. We thank you for your support for our students in need.  

A-OK Mentoring 
Make a difference! Help enhance the academic and social development of identified Howard County elementary school students in schools near you through a consistent, supportive relationship with a child.  Volunteers must be available weekday, daytime hours to meet one-on-one with an assigned student during the school day or with students in small groups in afterschool programs. Website: www.aokmentor.org

Volunteer Training
According to HCPSS Board Policy, all volunteers must complete a Confidentiality Training Course about protecting the privacy of our students, staff, and schools. View the Volunteer Certification Course  here.